Gary Bates, 71 of Ermine, passed away Thursday, September 23, 2021 at the Whitesburg Appalachian Regional Healthcare Center. Gary was the son of the late Landis Bates and Fannie Elizabeth Cuddy Slone. Surviving is his wife: Rosa Lucas Bates; 2 daughters: Stefanie Adams of Isom and Stacy Morris of Ermine; 1 sister: Cathy Colene Bentley of Millstone; grandchildren: Kasey Adams (Justin), Taylor Bryant (James), Chelsea Slone (James), Jonathan Morris, Kaleigh Adams, and Keegan Adams; 2 great grandchildren: Brylee Bryant and Lilianna Bryant; Step Dad: Woodrow Slone Funeral: 1:00 O'clock P.M. Sunday, September 26, 2021 at the Letcher Funeral Home Chapel with Bill Craft officiating. Visitation: 6:00 P.M. Saturday at the Letcher Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery at Ermine, Kentucky.